By Jun Ray Navarres
Filipino hard-hitter Rolando Dy will headline BRAVE CF 47: ASIAN DOMINATION on March 11 in Bahrain against Kyrgyzstan’s Abdysalam Kubanychiev, in a lightweight world title eliminator match.
“The Incredible” will face a classic striker-versus-grappler match up in his return to the Circle after extending his contract with the Bahrain-based fighting promotion.
For the 29-year-old Filipino fighter, he is approaching a pivotal moment in his professional mix martial arts career.
“I know what’s at stake in this fight. It’s my dream, the dream of fighting for the title. That’s on the line here. I am here to fight for it. I believe I deserve that title shot, and the best way to show everyone that I am real the title contender is by winning. That’s the only option,” stated Dy.
Yet, no matter how Dy wanted to raise his arms in triumph after the match, he recognizes Abdysalam who hasn’t tasted defeat since December 2017.
“Abdysalam, in my opinion, is the toughest fighter I will ever face in my career. He is a top-rated fighter in his country and in Russia. If you have that kind of rating as a fighter, it means you’re a monster,” Dy explained. “I consider this fight as a very important fight.”
The Kyrgyz fighter won his last nine fights including three under the banner of BRAVE CF, where he scored an explosive first round finish against Joao Paulo Rodrigues and Vagif Askerov, while he submitted Jahongir Saidjamolov in the second round with a rear-naked choke this past January.
For adopted son of Dasmariñas, Cavite the battle is not all about brawl but requires proper technique and quick-thinking and that is where he will outsmart Abdysalam.
“I see weakness in him, and I know how to beat him. My advantage is I am smarter. I will try my best to be the more active fighter. If there’s a chance to finish the fight in the first round, I will take it. If I have to go the distance and dominate him every round, then so be it,” assured Dy.
“I will give everything I have to win. Unlike my last two fights, I have a full training camp this time around. I am 100% ready.”
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